1. The most important thing about buying a new
bike is to make sure it fits. The only way you'll know if the bike is right
for you is to size up the bike and make sure that the bike's geometry matches
your body's geometry. Ask questions and do some research.

2. If possible, try to find a shop that will
let you demo the bike on real dirt. Five minutes in a parking lot won't cut
it. You wouldn't buy a car without a real world test drive, and a bike should
be no different.

3. Don't belive the hype. Just because
your favorite rider or best friend rides a certain bike, that doesn't mean
that's the best one for you. Have an open mind and be realistic about your
needs and ability.

Avoiding a gash on your leg from 3rd chainring / Front Derailleur

Been SS'ing for a while and just got a geared 3 x 10 bike. During my first good trail ride yesterday one of my main worries was that I'd gash open the inside of my leg on not only the large chainring but also front derailleur. That thing is sharp and only an inch away from my inner leg during pedaling. Didn't have any issues but I could see on a leaning left turn my leg smacking it or a fall the right way could dig deep.

Is it generally accepted that this is one of the risks of biking? What do you guys do to ensure your ride doesn't end with stitches?

Been SS'ing for a while and just got a geared 3 x 10 bike. During my first good trail ride yesterday one of my main worries was that I'd gash open the inside of my leg on not only the large chainring but also front derailleur. That thing is sharp and only an inch away from my inner leg during pedaling. Didn't have any issues but I could see on a leaning left turn my leg smacking it or a fall the right way could dig deep.

Is it generally accepted that this is one of the risks of biking? What do you guys do to ensure your ride doesn't end with stitches?

Regarding the large ring: If you are riding clipped in, I think this is quite rare. Do you find yourself scraping your calf against the single ring you have now?

If you are really worried about it, get a bash-guard in place of the big ring.

FD? I think that risk is extremely low. Never heard of anyone cutting themselves on that.

Been SS'ing for a while and just got a geared 3 x 10 bike. During my first good trail ride yesterday one of my main worries was that I'd gash open the inside of my leg on not only the large chainring but also front derailleur. That thing is sharp and only an inch away from my inner leg during pedaling. Didn't have any issuesThere is your answer but I could see on a leaning left turn my leg smacking it or a fall the right way could dig deep.

Is it generally accepted that this is one of the risks of biking? What do you guys do to ensure your ride doesn't end with stitches?Ride smoothly and in control

About the only time it becomes an issue is during a slow speed twisting fall....

You are really worrying about something unnecessarily. A bashguard's purpose is to avoid bashing up your chainring on rocks and such. Its not a leg protector. I guess if it makes you feel better then spend some $. But, as said already, you are not going to get eaten up while pedaling. But, in a crash situation...who knows.

PS I kind of like the grease tattoo. Especially when you can really make out a good arc of several teeth.

Yes I ride clipped in and I never thought about it on the Monocog because that truvativ crank had a sort of bash guard stock on it. I think I'm gonna suck it up and pay attention not get sliced. Don't really want to remove any rings at this time, I like having all these gears!

I "discovered" my big ring a few weeks ago. Lately I have been using it regularly when going downhill. It quiets down chain rattle a lot, and I find it helps to add a little power on the little flat and uphill areas -- I feel more in control if I have this option available to me.

And, if you crash you will be protected from the teeth by the chain. That said, I have received several bike injuries, but none from the big ring.

BTW, I read Ned Overend's Mountain Bike Like a Champion book and he likes his big ring too. Give it a try!

I didn't even know I did it until it was pointed out to me while I was taking a break. I was riding clipped in that day and flopped over at one point without getting out. Must have somehow done it during that little event.

I didn't even know I did it until it was pointed out to me while I was taking a break. I was riding clipped in that day and flopped over at one point without getting out. Must have somehow done it during that little event.

And it's on the outside of your leg, not the inside against the ring! That's where I got mine too!

I dont see why this is an issue, been riding on and off since I was about 5 years old. never had this issue with any of the bikes I had or rode. I am not worried about it. I just figure if it happens, it was gonna happen regardless.

I have however had the grease tatoos, but so far no cuts or gashes from the chain ring.

If you think about it, if you remove the outer most one, you are not getting rid of the problem, you will still have an outer most ring that this could happen to you on anyway, so no matter what, you will have the chance of the ring bitting you. The only thing you will accomplish by romoving the out ring is lessening the amount of gears you have available to you while you ride.

I was reading this thread a couple of days ago and thought- in all my year of riding (just started mtn biking last July at the ripe age of 39) this hasn't happened to me yet.

Well it did yesterday on a ride, hit a rock with the right pedal on the down stroke and it tossed the rear of the bike to the left. Some how I gathered it up and ended up on my feet with the bike still between my legs.

Didn't know I was wounded until I got back to the trail head. Mine is on the inside.

I wish I had taken pictures, but a while back I was trying to get my old pedals off to put new ones on. Hercules must have put the old ones on. I had my bike upside down, leaning over it, all my weight on the wrench, the pedal finally broke free, I fell forward over the bike right onto the big chain ring. It looked like a shark had attacked me. Lesson learned from that was to put the chain on the biggest ring when removing the pedals.

Originally Posted by Doug_J

I didn't even know I did it until it was pointed out to me while I was taking a break. I was riding clipped in that day and flopped over at one point without getting out. Must have somehow done it during that little event.

Did this a couple weeks ago, I had stopped for something, went to get moving again and somehow managed to twist my leg underneath the chain ring. It was only when I get home that I actually noticed it was fairly deep, and only then did it become painful as I tried to wash the grease/dirt out of it.

I got the gash a few times. Still have the marks. I've removed the large ring and replaced with a bash guard. I'm very happy with that decision and you will be too. It's rare to 'need' the big ring. I don't miss it at all and now ride with out that concern. Never get a bloody leg anymore. By the way... The gash would usually happen when dismounting in a 'hairy' situation and having the bike continue with forward momentum allowing big ring to smash into lower leg.